Weekly Market Recap - Friday, 31-May

US equities finished mixed in Tuesday afternoon trading, with S&P and Nasdaq breaking a streak of three straight declines. Today saw some reversal of the recent momentum unwind.  Underwhelming corporate updates were another area of focus. Little directional impulse from economic calendar or Fedspeak. Stretched positioning and buyback blackouts flagged as near-term headwinds.

US equities ended mixed Monday, well off best levels. Nvidia, semis, and AI-linked names extended recent declines, with Nvidia now off more than 10% and the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index down over 5% since 18-Jun. However, breadth is positive with strong performance across value and cyclical groups. There was not much on the economic calendar as the June Dallas Fed Index missed, though was better m/m.

US equities ended higher in this shortened week of trading with the Equal Weight S&P outperforming the official index. Fed rate cut expectations received a boost from the latest retail sales report, which added to the growing pool of evidence of a cooling US economy. AI enthusiasm also continued to provide support to sentiment with Nvidia surpassing Microsoft on Tuesday to become the most valuable public company.

US equities ended mostly lower Thursday, near worst levels. Price action reflects some consolidation across recent AI winners after Nvidia surpassed Microsoft on Tuesday to become the most valuable public company. a busy day of economic data include an initial claims miss, though slightly off last week's nine-month high that triggered some growth worries, while continuing claims was also a bit higher than expected and the highest since January.

US equities ended higher Tuesday, a bit off best levels. S&P locked in 31st record high of the year. No new developments around the major themes as today's big event, May retail sales, reaffirmed weakening consumer trends and growth concerns and offered more support for September rate cut. Sentiment remains positive and the path of least resistance still seems tilted to the upside, though the macro narrative has been flip-flopping over the past few weeks.

US equities were higher in Monday trading, ending just off best levels as an afternoon rally erased some morning weakness. Not much was behind today's risk-on move with very few catalysts to start what is expected to be a fairly quiet week, with Wednesday being a market holiday in the US. June Empire manufacturing beat as employment index weakened, though prices paid and prices received indexes both fell and the future conditions index was its best in more than two years.

US equities were mixed this week as the S&P and Nasdaq posted solid gains, while the Dow and Russell 2000 were both lower. This week's upside driven in large part by another rate rally and more soft landing optimism after the May CPI and PPI reports added to the disinflation traction narrative. The June FOMC meeting ended with no change to the benchmark rate at 5.25-5.50% as expected.

US equities finished mixed in Thursday trading, ending not far from best levels after some midday weakness. The market struggled to continue Wednesday's momentum despite more signs of renewed disinflation traction from the PPI results. Headline May PPI unexpectedly declined month over month and core PPI was cooler than expected.

US equities finished mostly higher in Wednesday trading, with the Dow Jones closing down 9bps, while the S&P500 and Nasdaq closed up 85bps and 153bps respectively. risk-on sentiment was driven by renewed disinflation traction from a cooler than expected May CPI print, with headline flat and core up only 0.2% m/m. Little surprise from today's June FOMC meeting. Fed left rates unchanged, as expected, and updated dot plot showed just one rate cut in 2024. Oracle missed but stock rallied on strength in RPOs, upbeat 2025 guidance and new AI-driven cloud deals.

US equities finished mixed in Tuesday trading, ending near best levels and seeing the S&P and Nasdaq both set fresh record closes. Several smaller themes were in play today, but the big narrative is that the market is in waiting mode ahead of tomorrow's May CPI and June FOMC releases, though few surprises are expected from either report, and market sentiment has largely coalesced on the Fed remaining on hold until at least September. Today's $39B 10Y note auction was stronger than expected, stopping through by ~2bp and taking some pressure off yesterday's weak 3Y note auction.